These drugs are useful in the care of congestive heart failure due to coronary artery disease. A regular schedule of nitrates can help to decrease the incidence of anginal attacks and control blood pressure.

Nitrates dilate the veins encouraging blood to more readily return to the heart. They also open up the arteries that supply the heart itself. Both of these effects work together to reduce the heart muscles demand for oxygen and increase its supply.

Nitrates:

• Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur)
• Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)